Back to Pine Line Trail Marathon Information & Reviews
J. D. from Cottage Grove, WI
(4/29/2007)
"Ok practice marathon. Fast, but bare bones." (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Pine Line Trail Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 A lot of positive comments are listed for this marathon, which is why I signed up. To be perfectly honest, I will not do this one again. First, the race website did not have directions to the park. No big deal; I figured it out by inspecting a map of Medford. Second, when I got there nobody knew where the start line was. Serious! I had several people ask me if I had any idea (I didn't). Third, a porta-potty or two would have been nice. The park facilities for those in need of a restroom were horrible. Fourth, the water stations are too sparse, and there were no gel stops. Not that a gel stop is necessary, but it is nice when you get to miles 18-23. Fifth, the finish area couldn't have been any more uninspiring. A few people milling about and a couple race volunteers. Sixth, no medals. Coffee mugs. Lastly, the goody bags were the worst I have ever seen. A sweatshirt and a couple lotion packets. That was it. I got 3X as much at a local 10K where I paid 1/2 as much. If the race charged $50 and offered more amenities, I would have been happier. I appreciate the low cost, but come on. | |
D. O. from Rochester, Minnesota
(1/7/2007)
"The course is gorgeous; gravel is tough sometimes." (General Comments)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Pine Line Trail Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I have done this perhaps 5 times since the late 1980's. The organizers let me start 2 hours early, as I am so slow. The last time I encountered a skunk perhaps 4 miles into the race. I found a rock, hurled it and prayed. I won! This course is not for the timid but the few water stations were very helpful. Do not recommend for the novice but if you have done a few marathons, this is gorgeous. | |
N. H. from Stevens Point, WI
(5/21/2006)
"Nice Race" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Pine Line Trail Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I'll always remember the sound of gunfire about 8-10 miles down the gravel trail. There must be a shooting range located back there. | |
M. P. from Milwaukee,WI,USA
(4/26/2006)
"Great time, few things to improve..." (about: 2006)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I had the most fun I've ever had running the half marathon. All the runners were super friendly and supportive of one another. The course is an out-and-back on a super flat, super straight gravel mix (converted train route). There were three water stops for the half marathon, at miles 1.5 and 7-ish, and then back to the 1.5 area for the final one. There was one porta-potty at about mile 4. There were very few road crossings; they were staffed by very friendly folks. Besides the road crossing guys and the water stops I didn't see any spectators. Very friendly event staff. Areas to improve: results need to be posted in a timely manner (I waited 1.5 hours and still didn't know where I placed), they need directions to the event (not everyone is familiar with Medford), they should pick a nice-looking color for the event shirts (I was barely able to hear over the super loud GREEN sweatshirt). I'll be back to run it hopefully next year! | |
D. P. from Chicago, IL, USA
(4/25/2006)
"Fast course, good surface, rough logistics" (about: 2006)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Pine Line Trail Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Good race - probably 23 miles on a trail, which saves the knees. Could stand to have more water stops - talked to quite a few people who ran out of water near the end. You absolutely have to carry water/Gatorade if you run this race. The end was a little confusing - wasn't sure where to go once I got off the trail. Overall though, positive experience. People running it and organizing it were real nice. I would do it again and recommend it to anyone looking for a low-key event, and anyone looking to qualify for Boston (because it's flat and fast). | |
D. M. from Spring Green, WI
(4/22/2006)
"I loved this marathon!" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Pine Line Trail Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The Medford Marathon was a blast. The water stations are few, there are no time splits, but there are no crowds and the trail is great to run on. I loved the low-key atmosphere, and I qualified for Boston. I hope to run Medford again! | |
S. K. from Wisconsin
(4/27/2005)
"Hidden Gem in Wisconsin" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Pine Line Trail Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 If you like low key events this is the marathon for you. Great organization and great course but not much in terms of spectators. Marathon finishers do get mugs which is a better souveneir than another medal. For 25 dollars to pre register you get a hooded sweatshirt. Awards for the marathon include gold, silver or bronze railroad spikes. Definitely a marathon to do if you are interested in low key but high quality marathon. | |
R. C. from Minnesota
(4/26/2005)
"Fine out-and-back" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Pine Line Trail Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 The course was great. Trail of limestone, dirt/gravel, and even some moss/grass. A strong headwind made the first half very difficult. The second half was quite a bit better. Organization was fine. This was truly a shoestring event--no chips. Volunteers were spectacular. Not many of them, but they stood alone in the cold--30 degrees and 30 mph winds--for hours, passing out gatorade, water, and fruit. Very few people--I'd go a mile or two without even seeing another runner near the end--but everyone I met, runners officials and locals alike, were fabulous. We got hooded sweatshirts and coffee mugs for doing the whole thing. And Wisconsin cheese, water/soda, hot chocolate, bagels, even pizza at the end. | |
C. R. from Appleton WI
(4/26/2005)
"Great Training Marathon" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Pine Line Trail Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 This was my first Pine Line Trail marathon experience. Definitely a low-key marathon without a lot of bells and whistles - which makes it unique and nice. It is a tranquil run out in the woods, farm fields and swamps. I talked with a number of runners who were participating in it for the 'nth' time so there is some repeat appeal. I did enjoy it and would recommend it to anyone looking for a first-marathon-of-the-year run. I set a 'PR' in this marathon in spite of the gale force head winds for the first 13.1 miles. | |
K. P. from Waterloo, WI
(4/25/2005)
"Nice first time run" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Pine Line Trail Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Yes, it was cold, and yes it is sparse, but the people that were out there were cheering, and that makes all the difference. And as a coffee drinker - I loved the mug! |
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